Three nights: an Obi day trip or two nights in Takachiho?
Spend three nights in Miyazaki city for separate Aoshima and Obi day trips without changing accommodation. For gorge walking and boating on different days, compare the driving itinerary with one city night and two in Takachiho. The long journey north keeps Takachiho separate from southern coastal sightseeing on the same day. The adult local-train reference subtotal is JPY 3,880 including the Obi return trip. For the gorge itinerary, check open walking sections and boat bookings.
Choose an itinerary for 4 days / 3 nights
Aoshima and Obi on separate days
Spend three nights at the same accommodation near Miyazaki Station. Make return trips to the city shrine on day one, Aoshima on day two and Obi on day three, then visit the museum before leaving on the final day. This train-based itinerary keeps the two southern visits on separate days without changing accommodation.
Aoshima and Obi on separate days →4 days / 3 nights BWalk Takachiho Gorge, then take a boat
This driving itinerary spends one night in Miyazaki city and two in Takachiho, with gorge walking and boating on separate days. Return to Miyazaki and hand back the car on your final day. Visit the museum only if there is enough time for driving, rest, refuelling, car return and your booked departure.
Walk Takachiho Gorge, then take a boat →Aoshima and Obi on separate days
Spend three nights at the same accommodation near Miyazaki Station. Make return trips to the city shrine on day one, Aoshima on day two and Obi on day three, then visit the museum before leaving on the final day. This train-based itinerary keeps the two southern visits on separate days without changing accommodation.
Day 1
Visit the city shrine, then stay at your base for separate day trips to Aoshima and Obi.
- Miyazaki Station → Miyazaki-Jingu Station
Take a northbound train from Miyazaki Station to Miyazaki-Jingu. Check its destination and stops to make sure it calls at Miyazaki-Jingu.
- Miyazaki-Jingu Station → Shrine grounds
Walk about 10 minutes from the station to Miyazaki Jingu.
- Shrine grounds → Miyazaki Station and the same accommodation
After exploring the grounds, return from the same station on a Miyazaki-bound train, eat in the city and check into your accommodation. Check tomorrow's Aoshima return trains and allow time to leave the island before sunset.
Miyazaki Jingu official visitor guideOfficial JR timetable and fare search
Recheck the actual return services and fares for your dates using JR's official search.
Day 2
Visit Aoshima today, then return to the same city accommodation. This itinerary does not add a connection via Udo Jingu to Obi.
- Miyazaki Station → Aoshima Station
Choose a Nichinan Line train from Miyazaki Station that stops at Aoshima, rather than a service to Miyazaki Airport. If you need to change at Minami-Miyazaki, check the platform and connection. Look up both journeys for your travel date before planning a visit that lets you leave the island before sunset. The reference adult local-train fare is JPY 450 one way.
Southbound Miyazaki Station search by date1931D: detailed Aoshima and Obi stops, searched 8 October 2026
- Aoshima Station → Aoshima Shrine and return to the station
Walk about 10 minutes, or 800 m, from Aoshima Station across Yayoi Bridge to the shrine. Allow separate time for worship and a coastal walk. General worship is free, with access listed from 06:00 until sunset. Leave time to get off the island before sunset and walk back to the station.
- Aoshima Shrine and return to the station → Miyazaki Station and the same accommodation
Retrace your walk to Aoshima Station and take a local train towards Miyazaki. Services terminating at Minami-Miyazaki require a change, so check the final destination in your search results. The reference adult fare is JPY 450 one way. Have a meal in the city after reaching Miyazaki Station, then return to the same accommodation.
1936D: detailed Obi and Aoshima–Miyazaki journey, searched 8 October 2026Aoshima return-journey searchOfficial JR timetable and fare search
After worship and a coastal walk, return from Aoshima Station to Miyazaki and rest at the same accommodation. Check return services, changes and fares for your dates using JR's official search.
Day 3
Walk around Obi Castle Town, then return to the same accommodation in Miyazaki city. Choose indoor attractions only if you have confirmed that day's last admission.
- Miyazaki Station → Obi Station
Take a southbound Nichinan Line train that stops at Obi. Do not choose a Miyazaki Airport service or a train terminating at Aoshima for this journey. Before leaving, look up stops, changes and the return service for your dates together. The reference adult local-train fare is JPY 1,090 one way.
Southbound Miyazaki Station search by date1931D: detailed Aoshima and Obi stops, searched 8 October 2026JR adult local-train Miyazaki–Obi return search: 11 October 2026 example
- Obi Station → Obi Castle Town
Follow the preservation association's roughly 15-minute walking route from Obi Station to the tourist car park area in the castle town. Reaching the car park area is separate from walking to each indoor attraction's entrance.
- Obi Castle Town → Street walk and optional indoor attractions
Walk the streets around the castle and take a break. An adult single-site ticket to the history museum costs JPY 300; the JPY 800 adult combined ticket covers six facilities. If arriving in the afternoon without confirmed opening and last admission for your date, skip the indoor visit.
- Obi Castle Town → Obi Station and Miyazaki Station
Retrace your walk to Obi Station and take a northbound train towards Miyazaki. If choosing a service terminating at Minami-Miyazaki, change to a Miyazaki-bound train. Check your search results through to the final destination. The reference adult local-train fare is JPY 1,090 one way.
Station and driving accessNorthbound Obi search1936D: detailed Obi and Aoshima–Miyazaki journey, searched 8 October 2026Official JR timetable and fare searchJR adult local-train Miyazaki–Obi return search: 11 October 2026 example
Choose your return service in advance and allow time for the walk between Obi Station and the town in both directions, street sightseeing and meals. The association lists history museum hours as 09:30–16:30. An indoor visit adds a JPY 300 single-site ticket or JPY 800 combined ticket. The JPY 2,180 reference local-train return fare between Miyazaki and Obi is included in the JPY 3,880 JR subtotal below.
Day 4
Visit the prefectural museum on your final day, then return to Miyazaki Station and depart.
- Accommodation near Miyazaki Station → Miyazaki-Jingu Station
Leave your accommodation and take a train from Miyazaki Station that stops at Miyazaki-Jingu.
Northbound Miyazaki Station search by datePrefectural museum public transport guidance
- Miyazaki-Jingu Station → Museum permanent exhibitions and return to the station
Enter the grounds through the torii across the intersection in front of the station, then follow the official roughly 11-minute walking route to the prefectural museum. Visit the natural history, history and folklore permanent exhibitions after opening at 09:00, then return from the same station on a Miyazaki-bound train.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidance
- Museum permanent exhibitions and return to the station → Return to Miyazaki Station and depart
After sightseeing, travel to your booked train or flight departure point. If the museum is closed, consider swapping its visit with the shrine on day one.
Prefectural museum opening calendarOfficial JR timetable and fare search
If the museum is closed on your visit date, swap days with the day 1 shrine visit and rearrange travel on both days.
Recheck actual return trains and fares for your dates using JR's official search.
Included: Adult local-train reference subtotal: two Miyazaki–Miyazaki-Jingu return journeys at JPY 800 combined, one Miyazaki–Aoshima return at JPY 900 and one Miyazaki–Obi return at JPY 2,180. General worship at Miyazaki Jingu and Aoshima, and the museum's permanent exhibitions, are free.
Extra costs and conditions: Airport and onward transport, extra transport to accommodation, luggage storage, accommodation, meals, limited-express charges and optional indoor attractions are extra.
The adult local-train reference subtotal of JPY 3,880 combines two shrine-station return trips at JPY 800, one Aoshima return at JPY 900 and one Obi return at JPY 2,180. The JPY 1,090 one-way Obi fare was checked in JR's official search on 9 October 2026 using an 11 October return-trip example. Recheck services, changes, fares and suspension notices for your actual dates through JR. Outdoor walks in Obi are separate from indoor admission; add JPY 300 per adult for a single-site ticket or JPY 800 for the combined ticket if visiting indoors.
Miyazaki Jingu official visitor guideAoshima Shrine official visitor guidePrefectural museum permanent exhibition feesOfficial JR timetable and fare searchAssociation fees and parkingJR adult local-train Miyazaki–Obi return search: 11 October 2026 example
Walk Takachiho Gorge, then take a boat
This driving itinerary spends one night in Miyazaki city and two in Takachiho, with gorge walking and boating on separate days. Return to Miyazaki and hand back the car on your final day. Visit the museum only if there is enough time for driving, rest, refuelling, car return and your booked departure.
Day 1
Collect your car, visit the city shrine, then prepare to leave for Takachiho the next day.
- Car hire location → Shrine car park and grounds
Travel from the car hire location to Miyazaki Jingu, confirm the official parking location and walk around the grounds.
Miyazaki Jingu official visitor guideCar hire time-based rates and inclusionsCar collection procedures
- Shrine car park and grounds → Return to the car and city accommodation
After worship, return to the car park, collect your car and stay in the city after a meal. Advance boat bookings for day three close at 09:00 two days before use, so check availability before leaving on your trip. You can compare on-site tickets on days when they are sold, but check reservation-only dates, sold-out days and suspensions separately.
Miyazaki Jingu official visitor guideCar hire time-based rates and inclusionsTakachiho boat calendar and booking rules
Get an official hire quote using actual dates and times from day 1 collection to day 4 return, the same return branch, vehicle, cover and options. Three nights do not automatically mean a 72-hour rate. General shrine parking is free; accommodation parking and fuel are extra.
Day 2
- Accommodation in Miyazaki city → Accommodation in Takachiho
Leave your city accommodation and drive north to Takachiho. The official tourism reference of about 2 hours 15 minutes from the city or airport excludes rest breaks, parking and congestion.
- Accommodation in Takachiho → Gorge car park and open walking paths
After arriving in Takachiho, drive to a gorge car park. Park where staff direct you, then walk from that car park to an open path to explore the gorge. The boat reception and walking-path entrance may differ, so check the route from your car park to an open path.
Takachiho Gorge official visitor guideTakachiho boat calendar and booking rules
- Gorge car park and open walking paths → Same accommodation in Takachiho
After sightseeing, return to the car park you used, collect your car and return to the same accommodation. Reduce your visit or return to the property if paths are closed or the weather is poor.
Takachiho Gorge official visitor guideTakachiho boat calendar and booking rules
Add today's gorge parking fee according to the car park used: JPY 1,000 each for car parks 1 and 2, JPY 800 for 3, or JPY 500 for 4. Official guidance lists car park 5 as free, but check current operation and opening before choosing it. Walking times vary by car park. A free rate alone does not establish an available alternative: confirm opening on your travel date.
Day 3
- Accommodation in Takachiho → Gorge car park
Travel from your Takachiho accommodation to the gorge. There is no dedicated or reservable boat parking; a boat reservation does not guarantee space at car park 1, Oshioi.
- Gorge car park → Boat reception in car park 1
Park as staff direct, then walk to reception inside car park 1. Official walking guidance to the boats is about 15 minutes or 700 m from car park 2, 20 minutes or 1 km from 3, and 25 minutes or 1.5 km from 4.
- Boat reception in car park 1 → Boat and open walking paths
Allow time before your booking for parking queues, walking, reception and reaching the boarding point. Explore the gorge on a 30-minute boat hire. Those 30 minutes do not cover the entire visit from parking to returning to the car. If high water or maintenance stops boats, check which walking paths are open before deciding what to visit.
- Boat boarding point and walking paths → Car park used and Takachiho accommodation
After boating and sightseeing, return to the car park you used and collect your car. Allow time for the uphill walk and rest breaks, then return to the same Takachiho accommodation for a meal.
Online boat bookings open at 09:00 fourteen days before use and close at 09:00 two days before. Check date-specific prices, advance and on-the-day ticket conditions, and maintenance closures on the official calendar. Thirty minutes is the hire time for one boat; parking, walking, reception and returning are separate. Add parking according to use: JPY 1,000 each for car parks 1 and 2, JPY 800 for 3, or JPY 500 for 4. Confirm car park 5's opening that day.
Day 4
- Accommodation in Takachiho → Prefectural museum car park
Leave your Takachiho accommodation and drive to Miyazaki city's prefectural museum in the morning. Check the driving guidance for Yanosaki intersection and the west gate. Continue through the west gate to car park 1 in front of the main building.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidancePrefectural museum driving access and parking guidance
- Prefectural museum car park → Permanent exhibition galleries
Park following the official guidance, then visit the natural history, history and folklore permanent exhibitions.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidancePrefectural museum driving access and parking guidance
- Permanent exhibition galleries → Refuel, return the car and depart
Return to the car park after sightseeing, then drive to refuel and reach your contracted return branch. Allow time for car return procedures, travel to your booked train or flight departure point and check-in. If the museum is closed, consider before your trip whether to visit it on day one and the shrine on the final day. Skip final-day sightseeing if arrival and return times do not allow it.
Prefectural museum permanent exhibition feesPrefectural museum opening calendarPrefectural museum public transport guidancePrefectural museum driving access and parking guidanceCar return and fuel settlementCar return procedures
Do not assume the southbound drive on your final day will get you to the museum at its 09:00 opening.
The museum's permanent exhibitions are free; confirm parking fees separately with the operator. Budget fuel for the drive south and work around your contracted return time. Check refuelling requirements or the operator's fuel settlement conditions before return.
Included: General worship at the shrine and museum permanent exhibitions are free. General shrine parking is free.
Extra costs and conditions: Essential costs are car hire from day 1 collection to day 4 return, fuel, parking and one boat's fee on day 3. Accommodation, meals and departure transport are extra. Add tolls if using toll roads.
Boat hire is priced per boat for 30 minutes and varies by date; check your date's fee on the official booking calendar. Gorge parking costs JPY 1,000 each for car parks 1 and 2, JPY 800 for 3, or JPY 500 for 4. Calculate car and boat costs per vehicle and per boat, rather than adding them unchanged to a per-person admission figure. Get an official car quote using collection and return dates and times, vehicle, cover and options; add fuel, accommodation parking and museum parking separately. Without a car, choose three-night itinerary A for separate JR visits to the city and southern coast. It does not include Takachiho. For Takachiho, separately arrange local buses via Nobeoka or the direct service from Miyazaki, and transport from the bus centre to the gorge. Add tolls if using toll roads. Boat hire beyond 30 minutes adds JPY 1,000 per 10 minutes. Check maintenance closures on your date's booking calendar and confirm car park 5 is open on your date.
Miyazaki Jingu official visitor guidePrefectural museum permanent exhibition feesTakachiho boat calendar and booking rulesCar hire time-based rates and inclusionsCar return and fuel settlement
Frequently asked questions
Does the one-day bus pass cover the direct Takachiho service?
The local-route one-day pass excludes the direct Miyazaki–Takachiho service. Do not confuse it with coverage of the Nobeoka–Takachiho local route. JR travel is also excluded.
What can you do if Takachiho Gorge boats stop operating?
If the paths are open, you can walk around the gorge. High water or works can also close paths, so suspended boats do not establish that walking is possible. Check the open sections in official guidance before visiting.
Takachiho Gorge official visitor guideTakachiho boat calendar and booking rules
Can you reach Aoshima and Obi with a JR pass?
The Southern and All Kyushu Rail Passes cover Miyazaki–Aoshima, Miyazaki–Obi and Miyazaki–Miyazaki-Jingu JR journeys within validity. Walks from stations to the shrine or town are separate. Udo-bound buses, car hire and Takachiho boats are excluded. Do not confuse this with Northern Kyushu Pass coverage. Check official eligibility, including a non-Japanese passport, residence outside Japan and Temporary Visitor status.
JR Kyushu Pass coverage, consecutive validity and eligibility
Sources and dates checked
- Aoshima Shrine official visitor guide ·
- Association fees and parking ·
- Station and driving access ·
- Miyazaki Jingu official visitor guide ·
- Takachiho Gorge official visitor guide ·
- Prefectural museum permanent exhibition fees ·
- Prefectural museum opening calendar ·
- Prefectural museum public transport guidance ·
- Southbound Miyazaki Station search by date ·
- Aoshima return-journey search ·
- History museum ·
- Official routes and fares ·
- Northbound Obi search ·
- Takachiho boat calendar and booking rules ·
- Prefectural museum driving access and parking guidance ·
- Northbound Miyazaki Station search by date ·
- 1931D: detailed Aoshima and Obi stops, searched 8 October 2026 ·
- 1936D: detailed Obi and Aoshima–Miyazaki journey, searched 8 October 2026 ·
- Official JR timetable and fare search ·
- Car hire time-based rates and inclusions ·
- Car return and fuel settlement ·
- Car collection procedures ·
- Car return procedures ·
- JR Kyushu Pass coverage, consecutive validity and eligibility ·
- JR adult local-train Miyazaki–Obi return search: 11 October 2026 example ·